Magnum primers with Unique?

Is there any reason one should not use magnum large pistol primers with unique powder in the .44MAG? It would be nice to only have to get one kind of primer.

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JohnM

October 3, 2011, 06:51 PM

I've bought nothing but magnum primers for quite a while.
Later this week I'm going to load 357 with Unique, I don't expect any problem.

cfullgraf

October 3, 2011, 06:56 PM

It will work. Back the load off your little, especially if you are near maximum for Unique. Or start at the published minimum for 44 Magnum and Unique.

Then work the load back up to the performance that you want within safe pressure limits.

NCsmitty

October 3, 2011, 07:00 PM

As long as you use a recommended starting load and work up, it should be fine. You shouldn't take an established maximum load using standard primers and substitute magnum primers into the mix.

NCsmitty

GooseGestapo

October 4, 2011, 12:26 PM

My typical use of Unique and Univeral are in applications where I'm far from approaching maximum loads.

Substitution of a Magnum primer is insignificant. I do it frequently.

Only when loading something near max with a powder that is sensitive to primer substitution would I do so with caution. ie: near max loads of #2400 in a .357magnum.
Here, I would suggest dropping the charge 1.0gr to accomadate the magnum primer if within 5% of maximum. But even it this instance, if extraction and primer condition (no cratering, excessive flattening,backing out) permitted, I'd still just "swap" them out. But, I would test fire a cylinder full before loading up a large quantity.

JohnM

October 4, 2011, 12:38 PM

It should be a given that when loading up near max listed loads one would always be careful about changing any component, primers, powder batches, etc.
Plus some testing of carefully loaded rounds to make sure you;re not getting something unexpected before you start cranking out the rounds.
I never cared for pushing loads to the max anyway.

If you aren't loading some slow ball powder like H110/W296, you don't need them either.

rc

A strange person

October 4, 2011, 03:50 PM

If you aren't loading some slow ball powder like H110/W296, you don't need them either.

I do though, that's why I need them. I also believe they will be more reliable in cold weather, which we get alot of up here.

Unfortunately, I am using a max load with unique, mostly because of the limitations of the lee powder measure set. I am not patient enough to weigh every charge.

PO2Hammer

October 4, 2011, 04:43 PM

My typical use of Unique and Univeral are in applications where I'm far from approaching maximum loads.

Substitution of a Magnum primer is insignificant. I do it frequently.

Do you notice any change in the amount of unburned powder when switching from magnum to standard primers whan using Unique or Universal?

I don't care about soot, but I get a lot of unburned powder when using those two powders at .44 special pressures, and I'm looking for a cure. (already give them a firm roll crimp)

JohnM

October 4, 2011, 05:05 PM

Unfortunately, I am using a max load with unique, mostly because of the limitations of the lee powder measure set. I am not patient enough to weigh every charge.

Using a Lee dipper you're probably all right, seems like all the dippers I've used will measure on the light side if used properly.
I even have a really old set of dippers and all the ones in that kit have measured light.

I still think you should find a load below max or at least find a scale and weight 10 or 20 dipper loads to see what you're getting before you get started loading.

MovedWest

October 4, 2011, 09:57 PM

I've done it without negative results, although I usually do it with practice ammo. I usually back off my load by 5% as a rule of thumb to account for the extra power, but I recommend testing that out before considering it the gospel.

-MW

A strange person

October 5, 2011, 10:58 AM

Using a Lee dipper you're probably all right, seems like all the dippers I've used will measure on the light side if used properly.

They are usually a little light. The problem for me is that Unique is a little difficult to meter consistently. A 1.3cc dipper usually will throw around 10.8 grains of Unique, but occasionally one will be as much as 11.2. That does not concern me, though, as Beartooth bullets, whose 250 gr. WFNGC I am using, records the use of a 12 gr. load on their site (in a Rossi no less) with the same bullet, and I have observed no signs of high pressure.

On a tangent, this is the only .44MAG load I am currently rolling, and I love it. Enough power to kill any deer or bear that ever befouled a tree in New England, and flat shooting enough to do the job from any distance they can be spotted at in these thick forests, all with the recoil of a lover's caress and the muzzle blast of a champagne bottle opened sabrage. A load like this, in a caliber like this, is the way to go for hunting in forested country, IMHO.

I need to get a custom dipper. One tapered towards the bottom (pail shaped), with sharper edges.

Sky King

October 5, 2011, 03:12 PM

If you want to use one type of large pistol primer, try using Winchester primers. They're usable for both standard and magnum loads. That's what I use in my .44 Mag and .45 Acp.

orionengnr

October 6, 2011, 12:01 AM

Bingo.
Winchester Large Pistol Primers are rated "For Standard or Magnum Pistol Loads".
That way, I can buy one LPP type/brand, and use it for everything from 10mm/ .41 Mag/ .45acp/ . 45LC.

A strange person

October 6, 2011, 12:03 AM

Worth a try.

USSR

October 6, 2011, 08:46 AM

...try using Winchester primers. They're usable for both standard and magnum loads.

+1. My heavy loads with slow powders use the Winchester primers, while everything else gets whatever other primer I have on hand.

Don

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